Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) has promoted Sam Register to the newly created position of president, WBA and Warner Digital Series. In the new role, he will head up a newly formed live-action digital content production unit and be responsible for the development and production of live-action digital series.
So what does this announcement mean? Think “Arrow” or “The Flash”, just through an online streaming service. The characters could range from the unknown (to the mainstream of course) to the familiar. I’m not a betting man, but I’d bet all I own that Batman won’t be included in this. They’re saving him for the big screen. But anyone in the giant DC Universe is game here. Think of how Marvel will soon be streaming live-action shows on Netflix, and you’ll get a similar result with DC.
Here’s the release:
BURBANK, Calif. — Warner Bros. Animation’s Sam Register has been promoted to the newly created position of President, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Digital Series, it was announced today by Warner Bros. Television Group President and Chief Content Officer Peter Roth, to whom Register will report.
In this new role, Register will head up a newly formed live-action digital content production unit and will now be responsible for spearheading the development and production of original live-action digital series, tapping the creative talent already working at the Studio while also identifying opportunities for collaboration with new writers and producers. In addition to these new responsibilities for live-action digital series development and production, Register will also continue to run the Studio’s television animation unit (WBA) as its new President, after having previously served for six years as WBA’s Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs.
Peter Roth said: “Sam has done an outstanding job shepherding Warner Bros. Animation over the past six years, reinvigorating one of the most storied and accomplished animation production companies in this industry. His creative instincts coupled with boundless enthusiasm, passion and energy were all key drivers in WBA’s recent successes, and I know that he will bring the same level of leadership and commitment to his new mission of building and expanding our digital series business. The possibilities under his guidance are limitless.”
Current WBA television series developed and supervised by Register include Teen Titans Go!, The Tom and Jerry Show, and the upcoming Be Cool Scooby-Doo! and Wabbit – A Looney Tunes Production, for Cartoon Network, as well as the forthcoming Mike Tyson Mysteries, for Adult Swim. Register also oversees creative efforts for WBA’s animated shorts, and he works closely with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on the Studio’s original animated movies, including recent titles such as Justice League: War, Son of Batman, Scooby-Doo! Wrestlemania Mystery and more.
Prior to his promotion, Register had served as WBA’s Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs, since 2008, after having joined the Studio in November 2007 as a producer with a multi-property development and production deal at WBA. During his tenure at WBA, Register oversaw the development and production of new programming and content for all distribution outlets, including traditional animated product for television and promotional use; content for digital platforms such as DCBeyond.com and KidsWB.com; and animated films for the home entertainment marketplace.
Before joining Warner Bros., Register was a producer and senior animation executive at Cartoon Network for 10 years, overseeing numerous successful program launches and helping to grow CartoonNetwork.com from a small marketing portal to an exciting kids’ entertainment destination.
My thoughts? The guy’s got a good resume. With his newly appointed position, I think he’ll bring something good to the table. If you’re a DC Universe fan, you’re in good hands.
Sources: The Wrap, Time Warner